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Patty LeVasseur
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| Posted: Sept 22 2006 at 10:45am | IP Logged
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Okay, I have decluttered and I am working on organizing everything. I am trying to get ideas for decorating. I have been known to utter "If it looks good in a magazine it doesn't belong in my house" so decorator ideas aren't helping me. Also, I am starting to think that decorating doesn't have so much to do with where you put the sofa as it does about the personal touches that people add. So what things have you done to your house that really makes your house feel like home to you?
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Patty
mom to four blessings
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Dawn
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| Posted: Sept 22 2006 at 11:43am | IP Logged
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Hi Patty,
I only have a few minutes online right now, but wanted to point you in the direction of some threads that might address your query! 
Elegant Simplicity
Elegant Simplicity in the Living Room
Elegant Simplicity in the Kitchen
And there are a few more, too - learning spaces, bedrooms, etc. - search Fireside Chat for "elegant simplicity" and you will find more of these threads as well as the links to a blog carnival started by Elizabeth on the very same subject!!
Hope that gives you a good start! 
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 22 2006 at 11:45am | IP Logged
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I use more knick knacks in a space than your modern magazines will show.. you know they're into lots of clear space and that just doesn't work for me.. I don't have many spaces I can use because of the kids.. but those I have I put knick knacks (candles, stauettes etc) not too crowded but maybe a bit.. and lots of family pictures.. I use small silver frames to set extended family pictures on my bookcases in front of hte books.. the silver pops out agains the "clutter" of books.. and there's pictures of dh's brothers and my sisters and their families.. our parents.. my grandparents (who have passed away).. and the on the other bookcase I have little pictures of my kids.. candid not posed/professional..
Basically, when I let myself get the things I like and not try to conform to "this is the way to do it" then things started taking on a cohsive whole.. oh and colors.. for me color can make a room work or feel odd.
It took some time.. but just in the last couple of years I realized that I'd finally gotten things to my way/colors so that my living room has a "finished" look.. though it's definately not formal.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Patty LeVasseur
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| Posted: Sept 22 2006 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
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Wow Dawn thanks for those links. I have only had time to read the first one, but that was exactly what I was looking for. I can't wait to read the rest.
Jodie, when I try to clear out everything it ends up looking like a hospital.  I know some people can make that look work, but I really can't. I think you are right about having some knick knacks around that you really like making it feel homey. I really like your idea of the silver picture frames with pictures of family. I bet that looks stunning.
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Patty
mom to four blessings
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Sept 22 2006 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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I saw a show once where they took things from different rooms to redecorate the house.
For example I love brightly colored hispanic folk art and had several pieces spread throughout our other houses. This time I tried to make the pieces work together in the kitchen and dining room. I won't say it's perfect, but it is an improvement. On the show they did it with furniture too.
To me, the best part is that it's free.
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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marihalojen
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| Posted: Sept 23 2006 at 7:20am | IP Logged
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Patty LeVasseur wrote:
| When I try to clear out everything it ends up looking like a hospital. I know some people can make that look work, but I really can't. |
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 My IRL Friend just redid her house with new furniture, paint, etc... but when I walked in all I could think was that it felt exactly like my favorite Doctor's office! It even had kid toys scattered about and a basket in the corner! She's happy but I so would not be, it's just not me. But since she is an Ambulance driver maybe she enjoys that sterile feel...
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: making your house a home
